Construction begins on the Princes Highway $580 million Foxground and Berry Bypass

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay today announced major works have commenced on the $580 million Princes Highway’s Foxground and Berry bypass – an upgrade that will improve road safety, reduce travelling times and create hundreds of construction jobs.

Mr Baird and Mr Gay were joined at today’s sod turn ceremony by Kiama MP Gareth Ward and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is Rebuilding NSW and ensuring we deliver vital infrastructure upgrades, such as the $580 million Foxground and Berry bypass,” Mr Baird said.

“The Foxground and Berry bypass is the most significant transport infrastructure investment being made on the South Coast and it will greatly transform this region.

“It is fantastic to be here today to officially mark the beginning of major work on this project. This stretch of the road due to open to traffic by mid-2018, weather permitting.

“This upgrade is great news for motorists who use this road and also for local tradespeople, as the project will create about 400 construction jobs.”

Mr Gay said the Foxground and Berry bypass project is an 11.6 kilometres stretch of four-lane highway between Toolijooa Road and Schofields Lane on the Princes Highway.

“The people of the Illawarra waited for years to see action under Labor, but now the diggers have been fired up and the roadwork on this highway is an ever present part of the daily commute,” Mr Gay said.

“The price of progress is some short-term inconvenience but this is a long-term investment in the lives of local communities and the visitors to the region.

“Early works on this project began in September and today major work will begin on completing this essential road upgrade.

Mr Ward said the South Coast and Illawarra were neglected by Labor for 16 years.

“It’s taken a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to deliver historic levels of infrastructure communities and businesses in this region deserve,” Mr Ward said.

“Today marks a major milestone and a great leap forward for our region to grow into the future.”

Mrs Hancock said it was infrastructure projects like this that are making life easier for the communities of the South Coast and Illawarra.

“We are aspirational communities, this infrastructure project is part of our vision for our future,” Mrs Hancock said.

“Despite all the big talk and big promises, the people of the Illawarra and the South Coast were neglected for a long time by Labor.”